The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1887-02-02

"Git do,1n,D said a uoice In the darkness.
All the passengers except Hale started
The man next to him moved his right hand
suddenly behind him, but as quickly stopped.
One Of the motionless trees had apparently
closed upon the vehicle, and what had seemed
to be bough projecting from 1t at right
angles changed slowly into the family shin
ing double barrels of gun at the window.
4Drop thatl" said the voice
The man who had moved uttered a short
laugh and returned his hand empty to his
knees. The two others perceptib,y shrugged
their shoulders as over a game that was lost.
The remaining passenger, John Hale, fearless
by nature, inexperienced by habit, awaking
suddenly to the truth, conceived desperate
resistance But without his making ges-
ture this was instinctiyely felt BY the others;
the niuszla Of fhe gun burned spohtaleoisly
on him, and he was vaguely conscious of q
certain contempt and impatience Of him in
his companions.
aGit down." repeated the voice impera-
lively.
The three passengers descended. Hale,
furious, alert, bnt helpless of any opportu-
nifty, followed. He was surprised to find the
stage driver and express messenger standing
beside him; he had not heard them dismount
He instinctively looked toward the horses.
He could see nothing.
"Hold up your handsi1
One Of the passengers had already lifted
his, in weary, perfunctory way. Tho others
did the same reluctantly and awkwardly,
but apparently more from the consciousness
of the ludicrousness of their attitude than
from any sense Of danger. The rays Of a
bulls eye lantern, deftly managed by in
visible hands, while it left the intruders in
shadow, completely Illuminated the faces and
figures Of the passengers. In spite Of the
majestic obscurity and silence of surround
ing nature, tho group Of humanity thus H.
Illuminated was more farcical than dramatic,
A scrap Of newspaper, part Of sandwich,
and an orange peel that had fallen from the
door Of the coach, brought into equal prom
inence by the searching light, completed the
absurdity.
aThere is man here with package of
greenbacks,n said voice, with an official
GOODNESS that lent certain suggestion of
custom house inspection to the transaction;
"who Is lit" The passenger looked at each
other, and their glance finally settled on
Hale.
1It's not him." continued the voice, with q
slight tinge Of contempt on the emphasis.
aYou'n save time and searching, gentlemen,
II you'll tote 1t out II we've got to 90
through every one Of you well try to make
1t pay"
The significant threat was not UNDECIDED
The passenger who had FIRST moved when the
stage stopped put his hand to his breast
''T'other pocket first, il you please" said
the voice
The man laughed, drew pistol from bis
hip pocket, and, under the strong light Of the
lantern, laid it on spot In the road indicated
by the voice. A thick envelope, taken from
his breast pocket, was laid beside it. II told
the d--d fools that gave it to me, instead Of
sending IL by express, it would be at their
own risk, +" he said apologetically.
aAs it's going with the express now It's all
the same" said the inevitable humorist Of the
occasion, pointing to the despoiled express
treasure box already In the road.
The intention and deliberation Of the out
rage was plain enough to Hale's inexperience
now. Yet he could not understand the cool
acquiescence Of his fellow passengers, and
was furious His reflections were interrupted
BY voice which seemed to come from q
greater distance He fancied it was even
softer in tone, a. II q certain ansterity was
relaxed.
@Stsp in as quick - you like, gentlemen.
You've Eve minutes to wait, Bill"
The passenger re-sntered the coach; the
driver and express messenger hurriedly
climbed to their plaosa Hale would have
spoken, but an inpatient gesture from his
companions stopped him. They were evi'
IDENTIFY listening for something; he listened
too
Yot the silence remained unbroken. II
seemed incredible that there should be no In
dication near or far Of that forceful presence
which moment ego had been 30 dominant
No rustic In the wAyzide 1brush. nor echo
from the rocky canyon below betrayed q
sound Of their 6ight A faint breeze stirred
the tall tips of the pines, cone dropped on
the stage roof. one Of the invisible horses
that seemed 20 be listening too, moved slight
y In his harnss But this only appeared t.
accentuata the profound stiffness The mo
ments were growing interminable, when ths
voice, % near as to startle Hale, broke oncs
more from the surrounding obscurity.
@dood nighti'
hwss the signal that they wore free Tht
drtvap whip CRACKED like pistol shot, the
hossN peang furioualy forward, the huge We
h1nls fprch1 ahsad and then bounded vic